Israeli soccer referee Sapir Berman made history on Monday after she officiated her first game in the Israeli Premier League since coming out as transgender.
26-year-old Berman who is one of the top referees in the league, took to the pitch to officiate the game between Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Haifa.
It, therefore, became the first game in history to be officiated by a transgender referee in the country.
The Israeli Football Association took to Twitter to commemorate Berman.
“This is the first step in a long and wonderful journey. Sapir, we are proud to do it with you,” the association said.
This is the first step in a long and wonderful journey. Sapir, we are proud to do it with you🏳️‍⚧@AgudaIsraelLGBT @FIFAcom @UEFA pic.twitter.com/FUNhcCKczn
— ISRAEL FA (@ISRAELFA) May 4, 2021
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Berman came out in April as transgender saying she’s always seen herself as a woman.
“That’s it, I revealed my story. For many years I was born in the wrong body. This body that brought me to achievements in every area, made me feel daily discomfort with my soul,” she said via Instagram.
“Such a conflict that doesn’t stop raising question marks; “What do [I] feel? Why am [I] attracted to female clothing details? Are there any other people who feel like me?
“Will the desire to be a woman stop at some point? So many questions and so few answers. Today [I] know how to answer most questions for myself.
“Today [I] am complete and confident that the step took, about six months ago, was a right and necessary step for me. And together with this step know that [I will] continue to be who am, with the same dreams, with the same ambitions, of course with the same values that [I] grew up on and with the same great love for the football field and the judgement in particular.
“I have the power to continue and be who [I] am both during the process and after.
“I want to thank my family who gives me a huge hug since [it was] was revealed to them, to thank my close friends who give me the natural place to be a woman around them, to the football association and the referees union.
“Anyone who takes part in this process deserves a huge thank you. [I] have no doubt that in time there will also be difficulties, but with this support and the messages, that simply warms my heart, [I] will be able to continue my life as chose. Love you, Sapir.”
Sapir Berman is not the only transgender referee to have officiated a match.
British referee Lucy Clark came out as transgender in 2018.
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